BCG vaccination- yes or no?

[tethersend]

I live in a part of London where the BCG is part of the vaccine schedule, and 3mo DD is due to have hers- I just wondered how effective the vaccine is and whether it's worth her having it or not?

All opinions and information gratefully received...

I opted for my children not to have it (it was only offered to my middle child - he was in reception at the time).

If I had lived in London and all DC were offered it, I probably would have gone for it.

I have no idea who effective it is, sorry.

My son had it shortly after birth, I am a archaeologist near London therefore I was considered more at risk. The only reason I agreed was that it's much easier to give injections when they are so small. I have no idea how effective it is sorry.

Thanks both.

DD1 had it, so I'm not too concerned about side-effects; I just wondered about the efficacy of it, really.

well,,,, how would we know?
mine had it as babies and have never had TB. there you go...

I'm sure I saw someone on here saying it only protected against one strain of TB, and didn't even do that very well. They may have been talking bollocks though.

It isn't effective in protecting against pulmonary TB. It can offer limited protection against TB meningitis which is more common in children but still very rare. We were offered it because we have grandparents from one of the 'high risk' countries. We said no.

My BCG was awful - lots of pus, sore, huge scab and a massive scar. All that and I'm probably not even immune. (Protection is thought to last around 10 years)

I guess it depends what you mean by 'isn't effective' and 'limited protection'. Meta-analyses have shown that the BCG vaccination:
Reduces the risk of tuberculosis (TB) in all forms by around 50%.
Reduces severe, non-pulmonary forms, such as childhood tuberculous meningitis, by at least 70%.

Thanks both- very interesting. Do you have any links? I'd be interested to read some research...

Sorry, should clarify, isn't effective in protecting against pulmonary TB in adults and provides limited protection against it in children. It is more effective in preventing TB meningitis in children.

Here are some links to start you off.

from the UK TB charity

Also here

DD had it as born in London DS didn't as we were uup North by then. No reaction at all to it, tbh they don't vaccinate if not advised so do it x

here's another link tethersend, this one from an NHS consultant. It mentions groups of people at particular risk who would particularly benefit.

For some reason Bumbley's links always seem to have a not-in-favour of vaccination tone to them.

Patient.co.uk and a TB charity have a 'not-in-favour of vaccine' tone now do they?